Burnley

Family life changed for many in Burnley between the last two censuses. Data from the census show there were changes in relationships, housing tenure and health.

The population decreased

In the 10 years leading up to 2011, the population of Burnley fell by 2.8%, from about 89,500 to 87,100.

The loss of about 2,000 people means this area's population decreased by 2.8% between that last two censuses, while the population of England increased by 7.9%

In 2011, Burnley was home to, on average, 5.6 people per football pitch-sized piece of land (about 7,140 square metres).

Population density was higher than the average across the North West

Population density (usual residents per 7,140 square metres) across the North West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

Fewer homes with children

This area saw England's largest fall in the proportion of households with children.

In 2011, just under 3 in 10 (29%) households in Burnley had at least one dependent child, compared with 34% in 2001. The percentage with no children increased from 57% to 60%.

Isles of Scilly saw the next largest fall (from 24% to 20%).

Because of its small size, comparisons to Isles of Scilly should be made with caution.

The proportion of households with children was higher than across the North West

Percentage of households that with at least one dependent child across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in rate of unemployment

The percentage of Burnley residents that were unemployed increased from 3.1% to 5.3% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just over one in two (51%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 53% in 2001. The percentage of Burnley residents that were self-employed increased from 6.2% to 7.2%.

The proportion of unemployed people increased faster here than in any other local authority district across the North West. The improvement brought health in Burnley close to the national average 4.4% in England described their health as good in 2011).

The rate of unemployment in Burnley increased by 2.1 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 in Burnley, the North West and England that said they were unemployed, March 2001 and March 2011

More people living alone

This area saw the North West's third-largest rise in the proportion of single-person households.

Across the region, only Barrow-in-Furness (from 30% to 35%) and Hyndburn (from 29% to 32%) saw a greater increase in the proportion of single-person households.

During this period, Burnley overtook 10 local authority areas, including Sefton and Copeland, to become the North West local authority area with the 10th-highest percentage of single-person households.

In 2011, just under one in three (33%) households in Burnley had only a single person, compared with 30% in 2001. The percentage with an unmarried couple increased from 8.9% to 10%.

The percentage of households with only a single-person was higher than across the North West

Percentage of households that that comprised only a single person across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Burnley that rented privately increased from 11% to 19% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

In 2011, just under one in seven (14%) households lived in social housing, compared with 15% in 2001. The percentage of Burnley households that owner their home decreased from 72% to 65%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Burnley increased by 8.7 percentage points

Percentage of households in Burnley, the North West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

Health improved

The percentage of Burnley residents that described their health as bad or very bad decreased from 12% to 7.7% in the decade to 2011.

Rates are standardised to account for variation in age, which can impact the local population's health.

In 2011, just under 8 in 10 (77%) said their health was good or very good, compared with 65% in 2001. The percentage of Burnley residents that described their health as fair decreased from 23% to 16%.

The proportion of residents that perceived their health as bad or very bad fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 11% in 2001 to 6.8% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 9.1% to 5.5%.

These data are people’s own opinions in describing their overall health. They may be inconsistent with other measures of health, such as NHS records.

The percentage of people in ’bad’ or ’very bad’ health in Burnley decreased by 4.2 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in Burnley, the North West and England said their health was bad or very bad, March 2001 and March 2011

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